Archive
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Feature: Awards celebrate the champions within our community
FIVE of Witney’s finest have been celebrating after being honoured in the town’s Citizens of the Year Awards. Leading the charge was 11-year-old schoolboy Finley Halcrow for his “exceptional maturity” spearheading a campaign for better play facilities
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Health care team receive watchdog’s top rating for going the extra mile
A HOME care firm has been rated “outstanding” by health watchdog inspectors because its staff go the extra mile for patients. Caretree Ltd is the first care provider in the county to be given the highest rating possible by the Care Quality Commission
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Boxercise class helps knock out bad habits for former addicts
FORMER drug and alcohol addicts have found refuge in boxing classes which pummel positivity into their mindset. Social enterprise Aspire has brought “boxercise” classes to Oxford, offering recovering addicts a punchbag workout. Jamie Hamilton
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Councillors warn that home estate development must get started or school crisis will erupt
URGENT action is needed to get a 2,500-home estate started or Wantage and Grove will face a school places crisis, it has been warned. According to councillors, a failure by developers and council chiefs to get homes built at the former Grove Airfield
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Jobs call as new Tesco in Bicester nears completion
WORK is ploughing ahead on Bicester's new Tesco set to open on April 14.The building forms part of the 60,000sq m business park being built off the A41 Oxford Road.It is expected to bring 100 new jobs to the town and replace the existing store that will
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Pub owner thanks community in support for bringing lost dog home
THE owner of a local pub pup that went missing has thanked the community for the "overwhelming support" that helped bring him home.Jager disappeared for three days after he escaped from the Saxon pub in the early hours of Tuesday last week.Following
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New road and river crossing to link Didcot and science centre
CIVIC leaders have welcomed plans for a new £125m road and Thames crossing to improve links between Didcot and Culham Science Centre.The new route was listed as one of the key aspirations in South Oxfordshire District Council's successful bid in December
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Beauty is preserved in glass works for new exhibition
SOME of the county's most beautiful scenery has been recreated in glass form for a new exhibition.Work by Kingham artist Helen Slater is on display at the Art Jericho gallery this month.The pieces are made by setting drawings and prints into glass using
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The pride of Cowley just got a lot more spacious
FOR a single person or young couple, the nippy zippy Mini hatchback is hard to beat. The problem comes when children appear. It is an issue that designers have grappled with since the first three-door Mini rolled off the Oxford production line 15
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Scheme launched to encourage young people to explore city's cultural scene
A NEW scheme to encourage more young people to access a wealth of arts and culture has been launched by three of Oxford's quirkiest venues.Members of TOAST Oxford aged 16 to 30 will receive a fortnightly email with offers for a selection of hand-picked
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Dancin' Oxford group are moving with the times
A FEAST of spectacular dance performances will light up the city's streets this weekend on the 10th anniversary of the Dancin' Oxford festival.For three men who all began dancing as young boys in Oxford, this year holds a special significance as they
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Still time to tell us your Milk Cup memories for our Oxford United supplement
THERE has been an excellent response from Oxford United supporters to our appeal for your memories of the Milk Cup final. The Oxford Mail are publishing a special 48-page supplement in April to mark the 30th anniversary of the U’s win at Wembley
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3PM UPDATE Didcot Disaster: Fire chief says finding three missing people is main priority
THE chief fire officer for Oxfordshire today said finding the three missing people in the Didcot power station disaster was top priority. Nathan Travis of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Services said earlier this afternoon: "We continue to work with
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Campaigners relieved as under-threat day centre gets temporary reprieve
ELDERLY people and their families in Witney have breathed a momentary sigh of relief after hearing an under-threat day centre has been handed a temporary reprieve. Last year the town was fraught with concern the Elms Centre, the only council-run
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Market restart sessions look to give broken household gadgets new lease of life
HANDYMEN and domestic goddesses will use their magic touch to spruce up broken electrical gadgets tomorrow.Volunteers from Bicester Green will be heading to the East Oxford Farmers' Market for their Restart party.The team is calling on residents to give
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Didcot Disaster: Family of Michael Collings who died at the power station release tribute
THE family of a "much-loved" man who died when part of Didcot power station collapsed have paid trubute to him. Michael Collings, 53, known locally as Whitby Mick, died on Tuesday this week when Didcot A power station collapsed. His family
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VIDEO: Amateur dancers effortlessly shimmy their way through first Strictly Oxford rehearsal for 2016
AMATEUR dancers are already quick-stepping their way to Strictly glory, as they effortlessly shimmied their way through the first rehearsal for Strictly Oxford 2016. The first rehearsal took place on Sunday with 26 local celebrities turning out
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Friday’s letters: What are your fellow readers writing in about today?
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
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Police spend afternoon rescuing three little piggies all the way home
THREE little piggies went missing in Wheatley today and Thames Valley Police spent the afternoon taking them back to the farm. The Oxford Sandy and Black's, also known as the 'plum pudding' breed, decided to make a break for it and enjoyed a morning
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Ofsted reveals Kidlington nursery is putting children’s safety at risk
ONE of the county's biggest nurseries has been ordered to make urgent improvements after inspectors said children's safety was "at risk".Cygnet Nursery in Kidlington was criticised by education watchdog Ofsted, which carried out an inspection
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Roofe's delight as Oxford United's game-changer turns poacher
KEMAR Roofe is delighted hard work on the training ground is paying off for him to become more of a goal poacher. The forward is in the frame to make a return to Oxford United’s squad at AFC Wimbledon after being rested for the midweek win at Exeter
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Recuitment worker claims tall buildings blocking view mean she can't sell her home
A RECRUITMENT worker said a buyer for her home withdrew his offer after builders constructing new homes nearby blocked her view of the Chiltern Hills. Amber Shankland, 36, said she contacted housing association Soha Housing after temporary buildings
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Fire destroys building at a farm in Great Milton
FIFTY five firefighters spent this morning tackling a fire at Orpwoods Farm in Thame Road. At around 6.37am, Oxfordshire Fire and Resecue Service received calls from passing motorists on the nearby M40, reporting a building on fire at the farm
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Training has not been smooth since autumn - Oxford United boss
THE demands placed on Oxford United’s squad this season have forced the coaching staff to make compromises in training for months. Tomorrow’s trip to AFC Wimbledon is the side’s 45th game of a campaign which has seen progress in all three cup competitions
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Cycling on the pavement should be better policed
MY PARTNER was walking from the Oxford Business Park towards The Swan one evening last week. He was passed, on the pavement, by a woman cyclist travelling in the same direction. She overtook on his left hand side, on the inside of the pavement,
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Scouts learn about life-saving during ambulance station trip
SIXTEEN Cub Scouts from Oxford put theory into action when they visited an ambulance station and learnt life-saving measures. Leader of the 2nd Oxford Scouts, Sarah Thompson, organised the visit to Churchill Way to help the group qualify for their
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Better solution is needed to maintain this vital resource
I WAS very interested to read the letters concerning Oxford’s Central Library (Oxford Mail, February 23 and 24). I questioned library staff about what would happen when notices initially went up. I was assured that the library service would be
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Teaching children to be literate the way forward
OF COURSE children from poorer backgrounds are being, and will continue to be, left behind unless urgent action is taken to improve education. The question is: what exactly is the urgent action needed to be taken? The answer is certainly not to
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Tory newsletter reports on sports village untrue
FOLLOWING receipt of the local Conservative spring newsletter through my letter box on February 20, 2016, I was somewhat surprised to read that conservative controlled Cherwell District Council were congratulating themselves on having initiated the
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Best 7 things to do in Oxfordshire this week
With the sun making a welcome appearance and spring in the air, it's time to forget about winter, and head out to your favourite theatre or music venue (or, if you're a dance fan, to the streets of Oxford) for one of these brilliant events... Welcome
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Cabbages & Kings: Known benefits of recycling recall those war years
WHILE the fatberg scourge was causing headaches for Jericho and Anglian Water’s waste network area manager Alex Saunders, two cheerful members of the city council recycling team were calmly converting the Bonn Square public to the all-round benefits
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Work begins for flood alleviation project on rail track
THE first work on clearing the ground for Oxford's £120m flood alleviation scheme has begun.Network Rail engineers this week started clearing vegetation near the track in New Hinksey to make way for the channel.The rail firm will be raising 400m of track
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Heine on Friday: Spelling out our libraries’ future after council cuts
OXFORDSHIRE has 43 libraries: are they all safe in this austerity era of cuts to public spending? I put that question to Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, the county council cabinet member for libraries. She told me: “The council is looking at every brick
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Waring aiming to display all-round talents during United loan spell
TOWERING striker George Waring is out to show he is much more than a target man during his loan spell at Oxford United. The 21-year-old has had a whirlwind week after first hearing of the U’s interest late on Monday, prompting a dash south in time
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9.05 service from Wantage cancelled due to traffic incident
BUS users who hop on the 9.05 service from Wantage will have to find another means of transport this morning as it has been cancelled. The Bus 31 service has been cancelled due to a road traffic incident. SERVICE UPDATE: The 09
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Ignore friends and delete social media: Callum O'Dowda reveals strategy for avoiding speculation
IGNORING friends and deleting Twitter helped Callum O’Dowda stay levelheaded during speculation over his future during the transfer window. The winger was one of several Oxford United players linked with moves to clubs in higher divisions last
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Comment: Do what's best for those who make ultimate voting decision
THE 'one person, one vote' principle is the pillar of democracy in Great Britain. But as anyone who has stepped into a polling station during council elections will know, it is rarely this simple in practice. Instead, voters are presented with
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Comment: Town’s support is much appreciated
THE disaster at Didcot power station is the latest tragedy in recent years to cast a shadow over the town.The murder of teenager Jayden Parkinson was followed all too soon by an unthinkable triple murder.But the people of the town stick together and are
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Chey Dunkley 'too focused' to celebrate his first Oxford United goal
CHEY Dunkley was thrilled to open his Oxford United goalscoring account – even if his muted reaction at Exeter City said otherwise. The centre back set the U’s on the way to a 4-1 victory in midweek by heading in Alex MacDonald’s eighth-minute
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Drivers face delays after broken down lorry blocks lane on A34
MORNING commuters travelling along the A34 northbound are facing delays after a broken down lorry is blocking one lane. The vehicle is blocking one lane between Beedon and East Ilsley. More to follow.
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RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford RL expect strong test from amateur rivals in cup
Oxford RL are expecting a tough test when they face amateur side Lock Lane in the third round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup at Maidenhead RFC on Sunday (2.30). The Castleford-based visitors will be out to halt Tim Rumford’s Oxford side in this
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FIXTURES: February 27-March 3
SATURDAY FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO AFC Wimbledon v Oxford Utd. VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH Gosport Borough v Oxford City. FA VASE Quarter-final replay: Kidlington v Bowers & Pitsea. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE
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ROWING: Talented Oxford Brookes' defeat Dark Blues in Boat Race warm-up
In the worst possible conditions, Oxford University lost to Oxford Brookes on the London Tideway as they build to next month’s Boat Race, writes John Wiggins The two universities had not met for a fixture since 1994. In that time, Brookes have
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UPDATE: Books of condolences to open in Didcot as hunt for missing power station demolition workers continues
BOOKS of condolence will be opened today at Didcot Civic Hall for the victims of the Didcot power station disaster. Residents and community leaders in Didcot gathered at the Civic Hall to pay tribute to those involved in Tuesday's disastrous collapse
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RUGBY UNION: Oxford Harlequins shuffle pack for Oxfordshire Cup clash with Chinnor 2nd
Oxford Harlequins have shuffled their pack ahead of their delayed Oxfordshire Cup quarter-final away to Chinnor 2nd on Sunday (1pm). Ramez Farahani come in at loose head prop, with Kyle Sharpe switching to lock. Fotu Latu goes to No 8 and Nick
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TENNIS: Oxford Sports close in on leaders in Thames Valley Winter League
Oxford Sports moved within touching distance of leaders North Oxford thanks to an 8-0 win over David Lloyd in the Premier Division of the Babolat Thames Valley League. Sports are just six sets behind North Oxford, with a game in hand. BABOLAT
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Buoyant AFC Wimbledon boss sets points target ahead of Oxford United clash
NEAL Ardley has set a points target for AFC Wimbledon to reach the Sky Bet League Two playoffs as they look to extend a superb run against Oxford United. The Dons have soared to a season-high fifth in the table after winning seven of their last
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CYCLING: Charlie Quarterman reigns in Spain again
Charlie Quarterman, from the Oxford-based Zappi Race Team, recorded a dominant victory in the first round of the Spanish National Junior Series. The 17-year-old Abingdon School sixth-former not only retained his title in the Junior Circuito del
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FOOTBALL: Kidlington aiming to close in on Wembley with FA Vase semi-final replay victory
Manager Martin Wilkinson is under no illusions as to the importance of Kidlington’s FA Vase quarter-final replay at home to Bowers & Pitsea tomorrow. The two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time in Essex last weekend.
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College farm’s welcome new rare breed piglets
POPULAR piglets have been causing a stir at a West Oxfordshire college.Pupils and staff at Abingdon and Witney College have welcomed a large litter of pedigree Oxford sandy and black piglets at the Common Leys Farm campus in Hailey.The piglets were born
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Warning to public after woman nearly hit by train at crossing
ALLOTMENT users have urged members of the public not to use their level crossing after a woman walking her dog was nearly hit by a train. The 300 or so members of Trap Ground Allotments in North Oxford have a historic right to use the crossing
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WATCH: Fire rips through barn as 45 firefighters tackle blaze through the night
FORTY five firefighters spent the night tackling a large barn fire in West Hagbourne near Didcot. Matt Lay was asleep next door to the outbuilding in Manor Farm when it went up in flames at around 10pm. The son of Chris and Sue Lay, who own
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Church planning ‘cleaned-up’ version of risque musical
A CLEANED-UP version of risque puppet show Avenue Q could be on the way to the Church of the Holy Family in Blackbird Leys. The church in Cuddesdon Way is hoping to put on its own production of the Broadway musical, using local aspiring actors
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Owners of a much-loved Fallowfields hotel bid a fond farewell to customers
VETERAN owners of a well-loved hotel have issued a final farewell to customers stating that “all good things must come to an end”. Anthony Lloyd, who set up Fallowfields with his wife Peta more than two decades ago, announced the sudden closure
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Bus driver who attacked ex-partner with baseball bat avoids jail
A BUS driver who used a child's baseball bat to attack her ex-partner has narrowly avoided going to jail.Beverley Rickell assaulted former lover Paul Burlow outside her home in Marlborough Avenue, Kidlington, in September 2014, a month after their relationship
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Bullingdon among prisons using drones to smuggle drugs, report confirms
BULLINGDON Prison near Bicester is one of a number of jails where drones have been used to smuggle goods to prisoners, a new report has confirmed.The remote-controlled miniature flying machines are being increasingly used to illegally deliver drugs, mobile
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£12.5m Headington congestion scheme revealed to the public at series of exhibitions
A SERIES of public exhibitions about how junctions in Headington are to be overhauled will take place from this weekend. The £12.5m “Access to Headington” scheme has been proposed by Oxfordshire County Council to reduce congestion and make it easier
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FOOTBALL: Banbury United relishing top-of-the-table battle with Winchester
Banbury United could go top of Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West if they beat league leaders Winchester City at Spencer Stadium tomorrow. The Puritans climbed to second in the table with a 1-0 win at Tiverton Town on Tuesday,
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United set to extend loan spell of Jonjoe Kenny
OXFORD United are expecting to conclude the formalities to extend Jonjoe Kenny’s loan stay. The 18-year-old has made seven appearances since agreeing an initial one-month deal in January after fellow right back George Baldock was recalled by MK
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LACROSSE: Oxford City club plans open day on Monday
Oxford City LC welcome anyone aged 16 and over to their open event at Horspath Athletics & Sports Ground next Monday. Tara Gene, one of the finest American coaches in the UK, will be coaching at the event, which takes place between 8-9.30pm
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Saved Wolvercote pub plans to pull in more punters with revamp
A RECENTLY saved Wolvercote pub could be revamped and live music introduced in an attempt to make it more viable. The White Hart in Godstow Road faced being turned into a four-bedroom house before the community pub company that runs it appointed new directors